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Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011

  • Explanatory Notes Table of contents

Please note:

All reference to 'Parts' and 'sections' are from the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011. For other versions of these Explanatory Notes, see More Resources.

  1. Introduction

  2. Commentary on Sections

    1. Section 1 – Official status of the Welsh Language

    2. Section 2 – The Welsh Language Commissioner

    3. Section 3 – The Commissioner’s principal aim

    4. Section 4 – Promoting and facilitating the use of Welsh and treating Welsh no less favourably than English

    5. Section 5 – Production of 5-year reports

    6. Section 6 – 5-year reports: supplementary

    7. Section 7 – Inquiries

    8. Section 8 – Judicial review and other legal proceedings

    9. Section 9 – Legal assistance

    10. Section 10 – Legal assistance: costs

    11. Section 11 – Powers

    12. Section 12 – Staff

    13. Section 13 – Exercise of Commissioner’s functions by staff

    14. Section 14 – Complaints procedure

    15. Section 15 – Seal and validity of documents

    16. Section 16 – Welsh Ministers’ power of direction

    17. Section 17 – Consultation

    18. Section 18 – Annual reports

    19. Section 19 – Annual reports: supplementary

    20. Section 20 – Working jointly with the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales

    21. Section 21 – Working collaboratively with ombudsmen, commissioners etc

    22. Section 22 – Power to disclose information

    23. Section 23 – Advisory Panel

    24. Section 24 – Consultation

    25. Section 25 – Duty to comply with a standard

    26. Section 26 – Welsh Ministers to specify standards

    27. Section 27 – Specification of standards: supplementary provision

    28. Section 28 – Service delivery standards

    29. Section 29 – Policy making standards

    30. Section 30 – Operational standards

    31. Section 31 – Promotion standards

    32. Section 32 – Record keeping standards

    33. Section 33 – Persons liable to be required to comply with standards

    34. Section 34 – Persons who are within Schedules 5, 6, 7 and 8

    35. Section 35 – Amendment to persons and categories specified in Schedules 6 and 8

    36. Section 36 – Persons within Schedule 6

    37. Section 37 – Persons within Schedule 8

    38. Section 38 – Amendment of standards potentially applicable

    39. Section 39 – Standards that are specifically applicable

    40. Section 40 – Duty to make standards specifically applicable

    41. Section 41 – Different standards relating to particular conduct

    42. Section 42 – Duty to make certain service delivery standards specifically applicable

    43. Section 43 – Limitation on power to make standards specifically applicable

    44. Section 44 – Compliance notices

    45. Section 45 – Giving compliance notices to any person

    46. Section 46 – Imposition days

    47. Section 47 – Consultation

    48. Section 48 – Giving compliance notices to contractors

    49. Section 49 – Varying compliance notices

    50. Section 50 – Revoking compliance notices

    51. Section 51 – When compliance notice is in force

    52. Section 52 – Publicising compliance notices

    53. Section 53 – Cessation of requirement to comply with standard

    54. Section 54 – Challenging future duties

    55. Section 55 – Challenging existing duties

    56. Section 56 – Applications to the Commissioner

    57. Section 57 – Determining an application

    58. Section 58 – Right of appeal

    59. Section 59 – Appeals from Tribunal

    60. Section 60 – Postponement of imposition of duty

    61. Section 61 – Standards investigations

    62. Section 62 – Power to carry out standards investigations

    63. Section 63 – Requirements when carrying out standards investigations

    64. Section 64 – Standards report

    65. Section 65 – Direction to carry out standards investigation

    66. Section 66 – Welsh Minister to have due regard to report

    67. Section 67 – Exception for broadcasting

    68. Section 68 – Codes of practice

    69. Section 69 – Failure to comply with codes

    70. Section 70 – Interpretation

    71. Section 71 – Investigating failure to comply with standards etc

    72. Section 72 – Discontinuing an investigation

    73. Section 73 – Determination of investigation

    74. Section 74 – Investigation reports

    75. Section 75 – Decision notices

    76. Section 76 – No failure to comply with a relevant requirement

    77. Section 77 – Failure to comply with a relevant requirement

    78. Section 78 – No imposed enforcement action

    79. Section 79 – Requirement to prepare action plan or take steps

    80. Section 80 – Action plans

    81. Section 81 – Publicising the failure to comply

    82. Section 82 – Requiring the failure to comply to be publicised

    83. Section 83 – Civil penalties

    84. Section 84 – Imposition of civil penalty

    85. Section 85 – Consultation before final determination etc

    86. Section 86 – Consultation before final determination following an appeal

    87. Section 87 – When enforcement action takes effect

    88. Section 88 – Failure to comply with requirement to take steps

    89. Section 89 – Failure to comply with action plan

    90. Section 90 – Failure to comply with requirement to publicise failure to comply

    91. Section 91 – Settlement agreements

    92. Section 92 – Failure to comply with settlement agreement

    93. Section 93 – Consideration of whether to investigate if conduct complained about

    94. Section 94 – Notification if no investigation etc

    95. Section 95 – Appeals to the Tribunal

    96. Section 96 – Powers of Tribunal on appeal

    97. Section 97 – Appeals from Tribunal

    98. Section 98 – Commissioner’s duty on an appeal

    99. Section 99 – Right of appeal by P

    100. Section 100 – Powers of Tribunal on appeal by P

    101. Section 101 – Appeals from Tribunal

    102. Section 102 – Commissioner’s duty on an appeal by P

    103. Section 103 – P’s right of review

    104. Section 104 – Powers of Tribunal on review

    105. Section 105 – Appeals from Tribunal

    106. Section 106 – Right to apply to be added as a party to proceedings

    107. Section 107 – Obstruction and contempt

    108. Section 108 – Enforcement policy document

    109. Section 109 – Register of enforcement action

    110. Section 110 – Interpretation

    111. Section 111 – Application to Commissioner

    112. Section 112 – Welsh communications

    113. Section 113 – Interference with freedom to use Welsh

      1. Case 1

      2. Case 2

      3. Case 3

    114. Section 114 – Deciding whether to investigate

    115. Section 115 – Investigations

    116. Section 116 – Discontinuing investigations

    117. Section 117 – Concluding investigations

    118. Section 118 – Reports

    119. Section 119 – Annual report to Welsh Ministers

    120. Section 120 – The Welsh Language Tribunal

    121. Section 121 – Composition for proceedings before Tribunal

    122. Section 122 – Hearings in public

    123. Section 123 – Welsh Language Tribunal Rules

    124. Section 124 – Practice directions

    125. Section 125 – Guidance, advice and information

    126. Section 126 – Supplementary powers

    127. Section 127 – Staff, accommodation and other resources of Tribunal

    128. Section 128 – Specially qualified advisers

    129. Section 129 – Seal

    130. Section 130 – Financial year

    131. Section 131 – Vacancy in the office of President

    132. Section 132 – President’s annual report

    133. Section 133 – Training etc for members of Tribunal

    134. Section 134 – Register of interests

    135. Section 135 – Publication of registers of interests

    136. Section 136 – Conflicts of interest

    137. Section 137 – Validity of acts

    138. Section 138 – Regulations

    139. Section 139 – Interpretation of this Chapter

    140. Section 140 – Absolute privilege

    141. Section 141 – Interpretation of this Chapter

    142. Section 142 – Restrictions

    143. Section 143 – Abolition of the Board and transfer of functions

    144. Section 144 – Abolition of the Board’s general functions and replacement of schemes with standards

    145. Section 145 – Replacement of Welsh language schemes with standards

    146. Section 146 – Other provision

    147. Section 147 – Supplementary

    148. Section 148 – Welsh Ministers to prepare an action plan

    149. Section 149 – The Welsh Language Partnership Council

    150. Section 150 – Orders and regulations

    151. Section 151 – Directions

    152. Section 152 – Notices etc

    153. Section 153 – Interpretation of this Measure

    154. Section 154 – Transitional and consequential provision etc

    155. Section 155 – Extent

    156. Section 156 – Commencement

    157. Section 157 – Short Title

    158. Schedule 1 – The Welsh Language Commissioner

      1. Paragraph 1 – Status

      2. Paragraph 2 – Validity of acts

      3. Paragraph 3 – Appointment

      4. Paragraph 4 – Remuneration, allowances and pensions

      5. Paragraph 5 – Terms of appointment

      6. Paragraph 6 – Duration of appointment

      7. Paragraph 7 – Appointment regulations

      8. Paragraph 8 – Delegation of appointment functions etc

      9. Paragraph 9 – Resignation

      10. Paragraph 10 – Disqualification

      11. Paragraph 11 – Dismissal

      12. Paragraph 12 – Payments on ceasing to hold office

      13. Paragraph 13 – Disqualification from being Commissioner

      14. Paragraph 14 – Payments by the Welsh Ministers

      15. Paragraph 15 – Financial year

      16. Paragraph 16 – Accounting officer

      17. Paragraph 17 – Estimates

      18. Paragraph 18 – Accounts

      19. Paragraph 19 – Audit

      20. Paragraph 20 – Examinations into the use of resources

      21. Paragraph 21 – Interpretation

    159. Schedule 2 – Inquiries by the Commissioner

      1. Paragraph 1 – Introduction

      2. Paragraph 2 to 5 – Terms of reference

      3. Paragraphs 6 and 7 – Representations

      4. Paragraph 8 – Reports on inquires

    160. Schedule 3 – Amendments about joint and collaborative working

    161. Schedule 4 – Members of the Advisory Panel

      1. Paragraph 1 – Appointment

      2. Paragraph 2 – Remuneration, allowances and pensions

      3. Paragraph 3 – Terms of appointment

      4. Paragraph 4 – Duration of appointment

      5. Paragraph 5 – Appointment regulations

      6. Paragraph 6 – Resignation

      7. Paragraph 7 – Disqualification from membership

      8. Paragraph 8 – Dismissal

      9. Paragraph 9 – Payments on ceasing to hold office

      10. Paragraph 10 – Disqualification on grounds of employment

      11. Paragraph 11 – Interpretation

    162. Schedule 5 – Categories of Persons that may be added to Schedule 6

    163. Schedule 6 – Public bodies etc: standards

    164. Schedule 7 – Categories of Persons that may be added to Schedule 8

    165. Schedule 8 – Other bodies: standards

    166. Schedule 9 – Activities in relation to which service delivery standards must be specified

    167. Schedule 10 – Commissioner’s investigation of failure to comply with standards etc

      1. paragraph 1 – Introduction

      2. Paragraph 2 – Terms of reference

      3. Paragraphs 3 and 4 – Representations

      4. Paragraphs 5 and 6 – Evidence notices

      5. Paragraphs 7 and 8 – Confidentiality etc

      6. Paragraphs 9 and 10 – Appeals

      7. Paragraph 11 – Enforcement

      8. Paragraph 12 – Power of entry and inspection

    168. Schedule 11 – The Welsh Language Tribunal

      1. paragraph 1 – Legally-qualified members

      2. Paragraph 2 – Lay members

      3. Paragraph 3 – The President

      4. Paragraph 4 – Legally-qualified members

      5. Paragraph 5 – Lay members

      6. Paragraph 6 – Remuneration etc

      7. Paragraph 7 – Terms of appointment

      8. Paragraph 8 – Duration of appointment

      9. Paragraph 9 – Appointment regulations

      10. Paragraph 10 – Resignation

      11. Paragraph 11 – Disqualification from membership

      12. Paragraph 12 – Dismissal

      13. Paragraph 13 – Disqualification from membership: employment

      14. Paragraph 14 – Disqualification from membership: unsuitability

      15. Paragraph 15 – Disqualification from appointment: age

      16. Paragraph 16 – Disqualification from appointment: previous appointment

      17. Paragraph 17 – Disqualification from appointment: previous dismissal from office

      18. Paragraph 18 – Interpretation

    169. Schedule 12 – Abolition of the Welsh Language Board: other provision

      1. Paragraph 1 – Staff of the Board

      2. Paragraph 2 – Property, rights and liabilities of the Board

      3. Paragraph 3 – Modification of the 1993 Act in relation to functions transferred to Welsh Ministers

      4. Paragraph 4 – References to the Board

      5. Paragraph 5 – Continuation of legal proceedings, validity of acts etc

      6. Paragraph 6 – Interpretation

  3. Record of Proceedings in National Assembly for Wales

  • Explanatory Notes Table of contents

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Explanatory Notes

Text created by the Welsh Assembly Government department responsible for the subject matter of the Measure to explain what the Measure sets out to achieve and to make the Measure accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes accompany all Measures of the National Assembly for Wales.

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